Afghan Taliban confirm visit to China

Spokesman says Taliban haven’t sought Chinese mediation


Tahir Khan January 28, 2015
The Taliban delegation’s rare visit visit to China has led to speculations in Afghanistan about a possible Beijing role in the Afghan peace process. PHOTO: AFP

ISLAMABAD: The Afghan Taliban confirmed on Tuesday that its representatives visited China recently but balked at the possibility of the militia seeking Beijing’s mediation in any talks with President Ashraf Ghani’s administration.

Earlier, the Taliban and China had declined to officially comment on the reported visit of Taliban representatives to Beijing ahead of President Ghani’s maiden visit to the Chinese capital in October, last year.

The Chinese delegation was headed by Qari Din Muhammad Hanif, a senior negotiator in the Taliban political office in Qatar. The Taliban’s rare visit has led to speculations in Afghanistan about a possible Beijing role in the Afghan peace process.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, however, clarified on Tuesday that the visit was not aimed at seeking Beijing’s role to mediate with the Kabul administration.

“The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has had longstanding relations with the world, and has paid visits globally, particularly neighbours, and China is one of them. We have not sought China’s mediation in any peace talks with the government, but we want good relations with the world, especially neighbours,” Mujahid said the Taliban spokesman in a policy statement.

“The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will continue visits, and maintain and expand relations and contacts with China and other neighbouring countries to convey its stance,” he said in a statement.

“We have not visited any country for mediation. We have also not positively responded to any mediation offer and media reports about the issue are not true,” Mujahid said. “I want to point out that many countries, which have sympathies with the Afghan nation and the Islamic Emirate, have floated suggestions to play a role in solution to the problems. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan respects all these efforts but has not taken any decision.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 28th, 2015. 

COMMENTS (8)

Milind | 9 years ago | Reply

@Pakistani - "And of course fully supported by RAW… We are fighting them in Waziristan if you have not read the news lately."

Why did it take you so long to act against them, if you're so sure they're supported by RAW? Why protest the drone attacks?

Mega | 9 years ago | Reply

So the Taliban which was friends of pakistan and only recognised by pakistan and saudi govt is now taking a trip to China. Why exactly is the Taliban clan blamed on india then? The govt india never recognises any form of Taliban in past nor ever will in future. These are same people who hijacked indian civilian plane carrying more than hundred passengers in exchange of terrorist. And we know in which country, the exchanged terrorist landed and who hosted and let him give free interview. It was also called "small issue "by their foriegn spokesperson. About Taliban, which country called them brothers and encouraged them? The Taliban are same people they created to fight soviet. Which created arms culture and illegal market hub and factory there and on border areas for their benefit. It was ok and acceptable then. They have videos of bonhomy with generals that called them brothers. When america came threatening war on terror they had to ditch them. Betrayal to brothers. Now brothers are taking revenge of betrayals. So now peace talks, misguided brothers, come back, certain civilian govt officals doing dharna to release caught ones etc. but now new narrative to calm angry locals india is behind them. Wow. India will never forget they hijacked our plane, or their open threat to modi is coming for gujarat and kashmir. Now we see the same folk visiting China. The picture is clear now. Which allies are invovled. I won't be suprised if tommorow taliban China pakistan becomes friends. Then again when america comes hitting to eradicate them and taliban fires back on you. Blame on india, we did it.

VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ